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“Ukrainian leaders and people speak not only about cordial friendship but about brotherly relations between our two nations,” said Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Linas Linkevičius, summarising his three day visit to Ukraine.

On 9–11 February, Linas Linkevičius had meetings with Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine; Pavlo Klimkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ivanna Klympush-Tsindsadze, Vice-Prime Minister; Iryna Herashchenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada; Oleksandr Turchynov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council; Yulia Tymoshenko and Nadiya Savchenko, Members of the Verkhovna Rada; and the leaders of the Donetsk Oblast and the town of Avdiivka. Linas Linkevičius also met with high-level Lithuanian advisers and former minister of economy, Aivaras Abromavičius.

“We have always felt particular gratitude to Lithuania in Ukraine. The signs of our support are evident there every day. When we were visiting Avdiivka, the town that suffered from Russian-backed separatists’ shelling, we met the founder of the organisation “Blue-Yellow” Jonas Ohman there, the managers of the Lithuanian charity organisation “Help Wing” that had arrived with another shipment of support. We met Lithuanian reporters there, too. Ukrainians referred to us all as ‘a large landing party’ from Lithuania in Avdiivka,” L. Linkevičius said.

“We have a permanent ‘landing party’ from Lithuania in other regions of Ukraine, be it military instructors or high-level advisers, who amount to ten now”, the Minister noted.

Linas Linkevičius assured the Ukrainian leaders that Lithuania would continue its multifaceted support to Ukraine in its reforms and European integration.

“Carrying out reforms is a challenge, while doing it at the time of war is a double challenge. Continuing reforms is of utmost importance now with particular focus on fight against corruption”, the Lithuanian Minister said at the meetings in Kyiv.

The Ukrainian leaders as well as the representatives of the opposition expressed their gratitude for Lithuania’s continuous attention, support in implementing reforms, and the Minister’s visit to Avdiivka, which is a clear sign of solidarity with Ukraine.

The meetings in Ukraine warmly welcomed US President Trump’s letter where he congratulates Lithuania on its Independence Day and mentions its contribution to the fight for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.